Texas Man Facing Possible Life Sentence for Possession of Hash Oil

A Texas man who was arrested for possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and cash is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison because authorities also discovered hash oil in his apartment.

Jacob Lavoro, 19, of Round Rock, Texas was arrested last month after police responding to a call about marijuana use discovered a pound of marijuana, over a pound of brownies, baggies containing 145 grams hash oil and marijuana, digital scales and $1,675 in cash in his apartment. Though Lavoro is a first-time offender, he's currently facing five years to life in prison because possession of over four grams of hash oil can result in a first-degree felony charge.

Though Lavoro has been released from jail on a $30,000 surety bond and prosecutor Travis McDonald told the Associated Press that the state is lenient on first-time offenders, Lavoro's father is outraged. "Five years to life?" he asked KEYE in Austin. "I'm sorry, I'm a law-abiding citizen. I'm a conservative. I love my country. I'm a Vietnam veteran, but ... this is wrong!"

Jack Holmes, Lavoro's attorney, is pushing for the felony charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor.